Better implants key to repair damaged knees

(Stellenbosch University) People whose knees have been affected by osteoarthritis, also known as the 'wear and tear' arthritis, often have to get knee implants to repair the damage. But if a knee implant does not fit the specific individual, it could lead to soft tissue damage, collapsing of the underlying bone, loosening of the implant and an increased likelihood of joint pain after an operation. One possible solution is to design implants that are patient-specific, anatomically accurate, reproduce normal knee motion and are ultimately repeatable.